Page 63 of Vendetta Vows

"Focus on what matters," I tell myself firmly.

Survival. Safety. Getting through whatever comes next.

Not Ruslan Dragunov and the way he makes me feel.

Not the heat that pools low in my belly whenever he's near.

Not the fact that every time he calls me "zarechka," my heart does a little flip.

I run my hands down my face and sigh.

I am so monumentally screwed.

17

RUSLAN

I studyArtyom's face across the dim light of the office. The grandfather clock ticks on, but neither of us feels the hour. His expression cycles through disbelief, concern, and something else I can't quite place as he absorbs my plan.

"So your plan is to marry this girl that you've known for what, barely a week, just to avoid marrying Tamara?" He rubs his palm over his face.

"You make it sound like I'm insane."

"Because this planisinsane." Artyom downs his vodka, wincing as it burns. "There's so much at risk. And it has way too many moving parts."

"Aurora understands the situation better than most bratva-born would."

"But she's still an outsider." Artyom waves his hand. "And what's to say Gregor Belov and the rest of theVoriwill even agree to this?"

"They'll accept it because they have no choice." The confidence in my voice surprises even me. "TheVoridon't want our guns falling under Semyon's control. That's my bargaining chip."

"What about your mother? Have you talked to Liliya about this?"

I almost smile. "I can handle my mother."

"Your mother is many things, and being easily handled is not one of them."

"That's not for you to worry about."

"Fine." His eyes narrow. "But do you know what Iamworried about?"

"What?"

"What if you fall for her? For Aurora?"

The question hits harder than it should. I turn to the window, watching moonlight play across the grounds where armed men patrol.

"I won't," I say resolutely. But am I trying to convince Artyom, or myself?

"Because…"

"I don't do love, Artyom. Not anymore." The ghost of Leslie's face flashes behind my eyes. "You know this as well as I do."

"What I know," Artyom scoffs. "Is that you asked me to look into her a few minutes after Sienna Voss caused a scene at Nikoforov. What I know is that you've been staring at her like a lovesick puppy every night for the past week. And what I know is that you can say all you want that you don't do love, but you came running afterherbefore you came running after the bratva. And that has to mean something."

"Stop it."

"I'm just trying to get you to see things like I do."

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